Session 02-17, a Regular Meeting of the Homer City Council was called to order at 7:34 p.m. by Mayor Jack Cushing at the Homer City Hall Council Chambers located at 491 E Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska, and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

The Council's Committee of the Whole met from 4:01 p.m. to 4:28 p.m. the agenda item was the regular meeting agenda items. The Worksession was held from 6:03 p.m. to 7:22 p.m. regarding the  2003-2008 Capital Improvements Program, 2004 Legislative Request Development and the Governor’s Capital Matching Grant Program.

 

PRESENT:     COUNCILMEMBERS:        CUE, FENSKE, KRANICH, LADD,

                                                                        MARQUARDT, YOURKOWSKI.

           

                        STAFF:                                   CITY MANAGER DRATHMAN

                                                                        DEPUTY CITY CLERK BENSON

                                                                        CITY CLERK ASSISTANT ROGERS

                                                                        ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT HOLEN

                                                                        LIBRARY DIRECTOR HILL

                                                                        PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR MEYER

 

AGENDA APPROVAL

 

(Addition of items to or removing items from the agenda will be by unanimous consent of the Council. HCC 1.24.040.)

 

APPROVED BY CONSENSUS of the Council with the following changes: Addition to the City Manager’s Report two memorandums of commendation for Harbor Officer Larry Rutherford.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS UPON MATTERS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA

 

There were no public comments.

 

RECONSIDERATION

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

(Items listed below will be enacted by one motion. If separate discussion is desired on an item, that item may be removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on the Regular Meeting Agenda at the request of a Councilmember.)

 

A.                 Homer City Council unapproved meeting minutes of August 26, 2002. Recommend approval.                                                                          

 

 

 

            B.         Memorandum 02-45, from Mayor Cushing, Re: Appointment of Ann Keffer to the Library Advisory Board and Appointment of Jared Szajkowski to the Library Advisory Board as the Student Member. Recommend confirmation.                     

 

CUE/FENSKE - MOVED FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CONSENT AGENDA

 

Councilmember Kranich commented that it’s good to see the youth of our community involved in government.  In reading the resume of Jared Szajkowski for Library Advisory Board, he is an outstanding individual and it is gratifying to see our youth involved.

 

Mayor Cushing added that resumes are not required, however fun to read.

 

VOTE: YES:    NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

VISITORS

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS/PRESENTATIONS/BOROUGH REPORT/COMMISSION REPORTS

 

City Manager Drathman announced that the Borough Assembly is meeting Tuesday, September 17th, in Homer in the City Hall Council Chambers.

 

Mayor Cushing announced the change of command of the USCG Roanoke Island.  The new commander is Kevin King and is a civil engineer who seemed happy to help us in that capacity if needed.

                                                                                                                                   

PUBLIC HEARING(S)

 

A.        Ordinance 02-38, Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, Accepting and Appropriating a Rasmussen Fund Grant in the Amount of $25,000.00, a Tony Hawk Foundation Grant in the Amount of $10,000.00, Authorizing a Transfer from the General Fund - Fund Balance in the Amount of $20,000.00 for the Skateboard Park and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Appropriate Documents. Fenske, Cushing, Ladd, City Manager. Fiscal Note: Revenue/Expenditure Acct: 151.747 for the grant funding of $35,000 and a transfer from the General Fund - Fund Balance of $20,000 to Acct. 151.747 for skateboard park paving. (First Reading 08/26/02, Public Hearing September 9, 2002 and Second Reading directly after public testimony.)       

 

There was no public testimony.

 

FENSKE/LADD - MOVED FOR THE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 02-38 FOR SECOND AND FINAL READING BY READING OF TITLE ONLY. 

 

Councilmember Fenske commented that he hopes the skateboarders have not gone geriatric. Councilmember Ladd felt this is the way things should be done, with money coming from different sources toward a common goal.  He added that this is a safe location and congratulated the kids for working within the process. Councilmember Kranich commented that the skateboard group is dedicated and organized and have made good presentations to the council.

 

VOTE:  YES:  NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

B.         2003-2008 Capital Improvements Program, 2004 Legislative Request Development and the Governor’s Capital Matching Grant Program, PRIORITY LISTS.

                                                                                                                                             

Doug Stark, Council Candidate, commented on the Capital Improvements Project booklet saying he would like to see where the funding is coming from on each project.  He felt everyone knew these aren’t all going to be funded by the State, that some funds must come from City and Federal sources.  He stated that he is “big on water lines” however, the people in the annexed area on east and west hill have their own sewer and water systems.  He felt it would be useful to determine the need for water lines prior to making plans to install one, albeit fire hydrants are important but a lot of money just for that.  Mr. Stark voiced support for the library and animal shelter projects.  He felt the animal shelter’s current location is good as it’s buffered from city residents and is City owned. He supports a fire station up at the reservoir and considers funding for a fire station a high priority.  Mr. Stark referenced discussion at Committee of the Whole regarding corrosion control of the deep water dock.  He considered corrosion control very important and felt it is cheaper to maintain than to replace it.  He reiterated that he would like to see funding sources on these projects.

 

Nancy Lord, city resident and chair of the Library Advisory Board, wanted to say again that the board recommends and asks that council support the library project both in the matching grant and in the CIP.  She advised that tomorrow she will be mailing out a brochure with a cover letter. The board has been working on a fund raising plan and wants to continue working with the council on an overall funding plan that the board envisions being public and private money.  She acknowledged that the State is not going to buy us a library; that “we” have to do the work and get the money.  She spoke against holding “pieces of money” that are supposed to be spent; she had to renew “one of them” last year.  Ms. Lord encouraged the council to work on an overall new financing plan with the board for the library so it can become a reality before we all get geriatric like the skateboarders.

 

Ken Castner, 196 Mountain View Drive, says he’s not been involved in the library project for very long but found it obvious that at the beginning there were pieces that were part of the puzzle that never fit, but now there are pieces that originally were not included that have to fit. He thought that on the 23rd the council is getting together with town square people. It seemed to him that now is the time to look ahead for 3-4 years and decide what you want the center of town to look like. The library is a huge piece but so is centralized municipal parking, downtown restrooms, connecting trails and highways and byways. The library is going to play a real important part of all those other ancillary constructions and will fit into one of the four places in the matrix given to council six weeks ago.  He thought that in looking at all the parts of the puzzle the library will lend itself to one or two places of which he hopes the council will take a look at. To him there were things that he was having a hard time personally dealing with and then all of a sudden it all became clear that some things didn’t really belong within that picture but when you took those away and added in some other things then the picture became very clear.  He commented that this all probably wasn’t stated very clearly.  He thanked the council.

 

The Mayor noted that there were folks in the audience showing support for the Homer Public Library by wearing lapel labels.

 

ORDINANCE(S)

 

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

 

            A.        City Manager’s Report

 

City Manager Drathman read a memorandum of commendation for Larry Rutherford from Steve Dean, Deputy Harbor Master dated August 27th.   The memorandum commended Officer Rutherford for his response to a medical emergency at the Homer Small Boat Harbor on August 3rd, 2002 in which he performed CPR and utilized the automated external defib.  City Manager Drathman noted that there is a like memorandum from Port and Harbor Director Bill Abbott.

                                                                                                Addition under Agenda Approval

 

City Manager Drathman congratulated the following City employees for their dedication and perseverance and patience in their service to the City of Homer:  Patty Morris, HPD - 26 years; Mary Calhoun, Clerk’s Office - 15 years; Pat Johnson, Public Works Dept - 10 years; Kurt Roe, Public Works Dept - 6 years; Dean Baugh, Finance - 4 years; Janie Stewart, HPD - 2 years; Zak Tucker, Planning - 1 year.  He again congratulated everyone saying these are the people that make this the “city that works”.                                                                             

 

B.                 Bid Report                                                                                                    

 

The 1990 Chevy Lumina was sold for $1027 with 114,000 miles on it.

           

COMMITTEE REPORT

 

A.                 Road Standards Committee

 

Councilmember Marquardt reported that he’s received input from council at the Committee of the Whole regarding establishing criteria for identifying roads that were not included in the original list of rural roads that will now be receiving maintenance.  He added that his time will soon be up on the council and he would be stepping down from the Road Standards Committee and hoped that Councilmember Yourkowski would take his place.  Mayor Cushing advised and invited him to stay on as a member of the public.

 

            B.         Town Square Working Group

 

C.            Beach Policy Task Force

 

Councilmember Cue advised that the next meeting is Wednesday, September 11th at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

 

            D.        Parking Task Force

 

 

PENDING BUSINESS

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

RESOLUTIONS

 

A.        Resolution 02-56, Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska Awarding the Contract for the Homer Skateboard Park Paving to the Firm of Builder’s Services, Inc. of Homer, Alaska in the Amount of 19,044.00 and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Appropriate Documents. City Manager. Recommend adoption.                            

 

            Memorandum from Public Works as backup.

 

FENSKE/KRANICH - MOVE FOR THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 02-56 BY READING OF TITLE

 

Councilmember Fenske clarified that this is actually putting the funds to use from the grant and that it was explained earlier that the $19,000 that is being authorized is not the full $25,000, but there is another $6,000 that requires further matching and he believes that it will be released when the match come in.

 

VOTE: YES:  NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE

 

Dr. Keffer, Homer High School Principal, was in the audience.  Councilmember Ladd inquired of him of any feedback on the new Heath Street access to the high school.  Dr. Keffer stated that he has received no negative comments and that traffic is flowing well.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY ATTORNEY

 

City Attorney Tans was not present.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY CLERK

 

Deputy City Clerk Benson had no comment.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

City Manager Drathman had no comment.

 

COMMENTS OF THE MAYOR

 

Mayor Cushing reported that he attended the Court of Honor for two eagle scouts.  He was asked

to be a host for the Pratt Museum fundraiser at Dr and Ann Keffer’s residence.  Mayor Cushing welcomed the Coastal States Organization to town, a group of scientists and managers from around the country who came to Homer. Mayor Cushing inadvertently welcomed and spent time with 15 Japanese ladies in Homer who are part of a Women’s Global Network.  He was asked to meet with a charter group that is a community housing development organization. They have some funding and are looking to put together in Homer something similar to the Habitat for Humanities project. He received a draft today of their plan that would indicate what they would be requesting of the City of Homer and he will report back to council on that. He attended the Mayor’s Conference where subject of what each City will do to recognize 9/11 came up.  Mayor Cushing was pleased to learn that our local orchestra is participating in doing the rolling Mozart Requiem around the globe at 8:46 a.m. and will represent two time zones in memory of 9/11.  Mayor Cushing expressed regret in hearing about the passing of the former police chief (Michael Daugherty).  He advised that the flags are lowered on Monday and Tuesday in honor of his passing, then will also be lowered on Wednesday in honor of 9/11. 

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

 

Councilmember Fenske commented on the need to find locations for the new library and the animal shelter. He felt that administration has been diligent in seeking a location for the animal shelter. He hoped to have a resolution by the next meeting.

 

Councilmember Ladd thanked staff for the improved capital improvements booklet this year. He liked the photographs.  He commented on matching grants and encouraged the public to bring their concerns to council members so the list can be finalized.

 

Councilmember Marquardt confirmed that all councilmembers had received the city attorney’s opinion on excessive vehicle noise.  He felt that noise pollution is a issue that goes unrecognized and will eventually “catch up to us”. Having a downtown business that relies on peace and quiet he has become sensitive to the issue.  He explained that the attorney’s opinion makes clear that this is a state statute that is easily enforceable and has withstood constitutional challenges in New York and Texas.  He encouraged all concerned to contact a councilmember, the chief of police or the city manager regarding noise pollution. 

 

City Manager Drathman responded to Councilmember Ladd’s comments regarding the improved CIP booklet saying that Administrative Assistant Anne Marie Holen has rewritten the entire document, formatted the book and is doing a great job.

 

Councilmembers Kranich, Yourkowski and Cue had no comments.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for September 23, 2002, at 7:30 p.m. The Committee of the Whole will meet at 4:00 p.m. These meetings will be held in the Homer City Hall Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

 

________________________________________

DEENA BENSON, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

 

Approved:________________________________